The Presidency has dismissed allegations by opposition politicians that Nigeria’s multi party democracy is under threat and that anti corruption agencies are being used for political purposes, describing the claims as unfounded and self serving.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said opposition figures were attempting to scapegoat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress for their political failures. He described the opposition as fragmented and struggling for relevance.
The statement followed a meeting of opposition politicians who accused the government of undermining democracy, citing the defection of prominent political figures to the APC. The Presidency countered that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right of citizens to change their political affiliations without coercion.
According to the statement, no politician was forced to join the APC, with the defections attributed instead to what it described as the positive impact of President Tinubu’s reform agenda. It also questioned whether democracy was threatened during periods when politicians defected in large numbers to the Peoples Democratic Party between 2000 and 2015.
The Presidency also addressed claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is being weaponised against political opponents. It stressed that the EFCC is an independent agency established by law and operates without interference from the President.
Mr Onanuga said the commission is mandated to investigate and prosecute financial crimes regardless of political affiliation or status, adding that those with cases before the agency should defend themselves through due process. He maintained that President Tinubu does not direct any anti corruption agency on whom to investigate or prosecute.
The statement further noted that the EFCC’s work recently contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, and insisted that no individual is above the law.
It added that some of the opposition figures criticising the government had previously been investigated or prosecuted by the EFCC before President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while others had been linked to international money laundering investigations.
The Presidency urged politicians to refrain from undermining public institutions through what it described as politicised narratives, stressing that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility that should not be trivialised.
